Myths and Truths About the Menstrual Cycle

Remember giggling and blushing throughout your health classes as your teacher explained the menstrual cycle? Well, for many of us that class took place a long time ago. As adults we need to brush up on the basic information we were given as teens.

The Basics

On average, the normal menstrual cycle is one in which a woman menstruates every 28 days, with ovulation occurring approximately two weeks after the onset of a woman's last period and two weeks prior to the onset of the next. However, normal is a relative term. Menstruation occurring every 21-35 days is still considered within the normal range.

There are several factors that can cause an irregular cycle, including younger age, stress, illness, or use of hormonal birth control methods, such as the Pill.

A lot of women are confused about when during their cycles they can become pregnant. Trying to predict a time during your cycle when you can safely have sexual intercourse without fear of becoming pregnant can be all but impossible. The trickiest time is during ovulation. Although the egg lasts for only a day, sperm can last for about five days. So, if you have had sex in the five days prior to ovulation, you could become pregnant.

It is also a fallacy that women cannot become pregnant if they have sex during their periods. Let's say your period lasts seven days and sperm lasts five days. If your cycle is shorter than 28 days, you have the potential for pregnancy.

The amount of flow during a woman's period will depend on genetic factors, her averall health, the length of her cycle and whether or not she is on the Pill, .The amount of flow can vary from month to month, but on average blood loss is less than three ounces.

Sex Drive

For most women, the menstrual cycle and the hormones associated with it do not noticeably affect sex drive. Women not on hormonal methods of birth control may feel more interested in sex around the time they ovulate and some women may feel more sexual around the time of their periods, she says, but sex drive is a very individual thing. It can be affected by such variables as a date, a bad day, illness, a new baby, or exhaustion. Since her partner's sex drive varies as well, it could also have an effect.

Sex drive may be greater during menopause because women may not be worried about pregnancy, their children have left home, and they may feel more sexual. Like their younger counterparts though, sex drive is variable and some women might experience a decrease after menopause.

Birth Control

Women may be confused about the effectiveness of the various methods of birth control. In theory, barrier methods of birth control such as the
condom
and diaphragm are effective in preventing pregnancy. In reality, however, the numbers show them to be less so. This may be because they must be readily available and used correctly in order to be effective.

While the Pill is more likely to be used correctly than barrier methods, women frequently forget to take it. If you use the Pill and happen to miss a day, the information that comes with the prescription will give you directions to follow to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy.

Toxic Shock

Toxic shock syndrome
(TSS) is caused by toxins released by a bacteria present in the vaginal lining. When tampons are left in place for too long, the vaginal lining can dry out, allowing these toxins to enter the blood stream. Untreated, TSS can lead to kidney failure, respiratory failure, and death. Under very rare circumstances, diaphragms and sponges can also cause TSS.
It is important to change your tampon every 4-6 hours, and not use one during the overnight hours. You may want to consider using pads instead of tampons at night.

When Should You See Your Healthcare Provider?

Regular reproductive checkups are important for every woman. But should any of the following symptoms occur between scheduled checkups, see your healthcare provider:

Your period comes less than 21 days or more than 35 after the onset of your last period

Your period is frequently irregular

Your period lasts more than one week

Your flow is heavier than normal

There is more pain associated with your period than you consider to be normal

You experience pain during intercourse

Postmenopausal bleeding

You are of reproductive age and not having regular periods

You know your body best. Keep track of your normal cycle so you will know when something changes.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.